Made by Respondus, LockDown Browser is a web browser application that allows for secure online quizzing and testing. ACU uses LockDown Browser at both the Abilene campus and ACU Online. Respondus has made an information video about LockDown Browser: https://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml
LockDown Browser is supported for three platforms: personal computer running macOS, personal computer running Windows, and iPad. Please see the instructions below to get ready BEFORE taking a real quiz.
Taking a Quiz with LockDown Browser on macOS or Windows:
- Download LockDown Browser to your computer at: https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=167846866. This is an ACU specific link and you must use this link to download LockDown Browser for an ACU class.
- Windows will download a .exe file. If it prompts you to run the file, run it. Otherwise save the file and run it from the download location.
- macOS will download a .zip archive file containing a .pkg file. Extract and run the .pkg file
- The installation wizard will walk you through the rest of the installation process
- Launch LockDown Browser. In Windows 10 it is in Apps and Features. In macOS it is in the Applications folder.
- Close all other programs before launching LockDown Browser. If you have some programs running in the background, you may be prompted to close them. Choose “Yes” when prompted. If you see a warning that ARDAgent is preventing access to LockDown Browser, follow the instructions on the screen to quit the application. Restart the computer if you keep having issues. Do this before class to get ready as you may have limited time to take a quiz.
- When it prompts you to "Choose Server", you will select "Abilene Christian University - Canvas" if you are a student at our Abilene campus and will select "ACU Online" if you are a student online with ACU Dallas.
- In LockDown Browser, navigate to your Canvas course.
- Navigate to the quiz and click on Take a Quiz.
- Take your quiz and submit it.
- Exit the program when you have completed the exam.
Taking a Quiz on a Chromebook:
- Students using a Chromebook will need to use the regular LockDown Browser installation link for ACU (Do not search for the app directly from the Chrome web store because it will not pop up). https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=167846866
- The LockDown Browser installation link will direct the student to the Chrome web store
- Select “Add to Chrome” to install the LockDown Browser Extension.
- When you launch your quiz LockDown browser for Chromebook should launch
NOTE: if you started in Canvas, clicked the Take Quiz button, and were redirected to install the extension, Chrome saved a cookie that says you don't have the extension. As long as this cookie remains, you will continue to be redirected to that page instead of loading your quiz even after you have installed the extension. To fix this, clear Chrome's browsing data:
- Go to History: press Ctrl+H or click the three-dots menu in the top-right corner of Chrome, hover over History to expand, and click History.
- Click Clear browsing data
- Select Time range "All time" and check all the boxes
- Click Clear data
- You will be signed out because your user session was being stored in the data you just cleared. Log back in and you should be able to take the quiz as normal.
Taking a Quiz with LockDown Browser on Your iPad:
- Download and Install the free “LockDown Browser” app from the app store. If you installed it before January 2018, make sure you have updated it from the app store. The app works for IOS 7.0 and above. Please update your IOS if you have not already done so.
- Before a test, launch the LockDown Browser app on your device.
- Log in to your Canvas account when prompted.
- Find your course and then click on the quiz.
- You will see a message to “Confirm App Self-Lock.” Tap on “Yes” to confirm.
- Take your quiz and submit it.
- Exit the app upon completion of the quiz.
Take a Sample Quiz:
Prior to the first quiz, please complete a practice quiz that uses LockDown Browser to make sure you have installed it correctly. Check with your professor if he or she can give you a sample quiz to test LockDown Browser.
Additional Support
- The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. If an exam requires you to use a webcam, also run the "Webcam Check" from this area.
- Contact us: our contact information is on our support portal.
- Check Respondus' LockDown Browser knowledge base.
- If you're still unable to resolve a technical issue with LockDown Browser, go to support.respondus.com and select "Submit a Ticket". Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it.
Guidelines for Non-Classroom
- Select a location where you won't be interrupted.
- A wired Internet connection is recommended.
- Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and ensure that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it.
- Turn off all mobile devices, phones, etc., and don't have them within reach.
- Clear your area of all external materials: books, papers, and other computers or devices.
- Remain at your desk or workstation for the duration of the test.
- LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.